I recently received the copy I ordered from Amazon of Llewellyn's Complete Book of Names for Pagans, Witches, Wiccans, Druids, Heathens, Mages, Shamans & Independent Thinkers of All Sorts Who Are Curious About Names from Every Place and Every Time.

WOW! Author K.M. Sheard's massive, 792-page tome proves itself worthy of her credentials: "K.M. Sheard is a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and the British Pagan Federation. A scholar of history, Assyriology, Latin, and Greek, Sheard is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and is well-versed or fluent in a number of languages, both modern and ancient."

This book is a treasure-trove for name enthusiasts. Every page turns up something fascinating, such as this intriguing name I found while browsing: Simaetha, a beautiful witch in a poem by the classical Greek poet Theocritus, and also the name of a genus of spiders.

The book has indices which list all names by gender and theme (elements, seasons, colors, astrological signs, etc.). There is also an impressive bibliography included, for further reading.

I highly recommend this book!

I also highly recommend the author's blog, for additional, fascinating name offerings to appeal to the pagan aesthetic: Nook of Names.

-- Nephele

When I get some extra money, I'll definitely try to get this book!

Same here... and thank you for the link, Nephele

Oh, awesome. I like Hypatia as a name for a girl, so it's a good thing I'll probably never have kids. Thanks, Nephele.

Igorina, I LOVE the name Hypatia! Honestly, I can easily see that name being used for a child today.

K.M. Sheard has included Hypatia in her book, in a very scholarly entry. Along with the Greek etymology of the name, Sheard also mentions how the historical Hypatia was acknowledged in 1843 (centuries after her death) as having been the first known "Witch" to be punished according to the Witchcraft penalty of the Christian Roman Emperor, Constantius II.

If pagans and free-thinkers were to have a "martyred saint" of our own, Hypatia would fill that bill.

Midi and Minty, do get Sheard's book when you can -- you'll find that browsing through it is highly addictive!

-- Nephele

I love the name Antigone. If I had another daughter, I'd probably name here that. Is that name in the book, Nephele?

Yep! Sheard includes a big entry on Antigone. I love that name, too, and I'm hard-pressed to find any of my favorites missing from this book!

-- Nephele